বুধবার, ২৭শে মার্চ, ২০২৪ খ্রিস্টাব্দ ১৩ই চৈত্র, ১৪৩০ বঙ্গাব্দ

Shawwal moon not sighted, Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday in Bangladesh

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Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated in the country Friday as the Shawwal moon was not sighted in Bangladesh this evening, state minister for religious affairs Faridul Haque Khan said.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee with the state minister in the chair this evening after reviewing the information of Shawwal moon sighting.

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The largest religious festival of Muslims will be celebrated amid religious fervour and enthusiasm after a month of fasting.

This year, Eid will be celebrated in a different scenario without any outdoor programme and Eid jamaat at Eidgahs across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has urged people to avoid Eidgah or other open places for Eid congregations and offer prayers at local mosques maintaining health guidelines.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs issued an emergency circular recently saying the decision was taken due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Although the Islamic Sharia encourages offering Eid prayer at Eidgah or open places, the devotees are now requested to offer their prayers at nearby mosques due to the coronavirus situation,” the circular said, adding that there can be several Eid jamaats if necessary.

It also suggested disinfecting mosques before Eid prayer and advised against rolling out carpets on the floors.

The devotees have been urged to bring prayer mats from home. Other than that, arrangements should be made at entrances of the mosques for washing hands, the notification added.

The devotees must wear masks inside mosques and avoid using prayer mats and caps that were stored there.

Children, elderly people, people with physical ailments, and those taking care of the sick should not be allowed to attend jamaats.

Apart from these, the devotees were requested to avoid shaking hands and the customary hugging after the prayers.

With the risk of virus infections, thousands of people have already left the capital to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones at their village homes.

In the capital, the main Eid congregation will be held at the Baitul Mukarrom National Mosque. Five congregations will take place there, said Islamic Foundation.

The national flag will be hoisted atop government and non-government office buildings on the day. The main city streets and road islands will be decorated with the national flag and banners inscribed with ‘Eid Mubarak’ in both Bangla and Arabic.

Television channels and radio stations will telecast special programmes.

Special diet will be served in hospitals, jails, government children’s homes, Chotomoni Nibash, centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes, orphanages, Vagrant Welfare and Destitute Welfare centres.